In accordance with Regulation 15 of The Planning (Local Development Plan) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, Ards and North Down Borough Council hereby gives notice of the reconsultation on the draft Plan Strategy (dPS) of the Local Development Plan 2032 (LDP). The reconsultation period will commence on Friday 16 January 2026 and will run for a period of 8 weeks. The closing date for the consultation is 4.30 pm on Monday 16 March 2026.

The Council’s draft Plan Strategy was previously published on 18 September 2025, followed by a Consultation period which commenced on 17 October 2025 and was due to end on 15 December 2025. However, an administrative error, in relation to the date of one specific advertisement placement, has been identified and so a further consultation period will now be undertaken commencing 16 January 2026.

All those who submitted a representation to the previous consultation (as commenced on 17 October 2025) will be written to separately.

The draft Plan Strategy sets out the strategic policies that will shape how land is used and developed across the Borough up to 2032. It aims to promote sustainable growth, protect the environment, enhance community wellbeing, and support economic and social development throughout Ards and North Down. Availability of Documents The draft Plan Strategy and all supporting documentation, including Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating the Strategic Environmental Assessment) and non-technical summary, draft Habitats Regulations Assessment, draft Equality (Section 75) Impact Screening; Rural Needs Impact Assessment, and Technical Supplements will be available to view on, and download from, the Council’s website: www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/local-development-plan Such documents will also be available for public inspection between 9am and 5pm (4.30pm on Fridays) at the Council’s offices:

2 Church Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AP; and City Hall, The Castle, Bangor, BT20 4TF

Hard copies can be provided on request, subject to availability.

To ensure equality of opportunity in accessing information, copies of the documents in alternative formats are available on request. Where the exact request cannot be met, we will ensure that an alternative is provided.

How to respond

Written representations regarding the soundness of the draft Plan Strategy are invited and can be made using one of the following methods:

• Via the Council’s online citizen engagement platform

• By email to: planning@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk (please quote LDP DPS in the subject line)

• In writing to: Local Development Plan Team, Ards and North Down Borough Council, 2 Church Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AP

Any representations made after the consultation period closes will not be accepted.

Public Engagement Events

The Council previously hosted a series of public drop-in events in October and November 2025. A further number, as detailed below, will be hosted.

Draft Plan Strategy - Timetable of Drop In Events

For enquiries, please contact the Planning Service: Tel: 028 9182 4006

Email: planning@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS)

It should also be noted that the Minister for Infrastructure published Edition 2 of the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) on 11 December 2025, which sets out a revised policy provision on Renewable and Low Carbon Energy, cancelling PPS 18: Renewable Energy.

The Council is currently examining Edition 2 of the SPPS to determine any potential implications for the draft Plan Strategy. Alongside the consultation materials, the Council will publish an accompanying statement on its website addressing the release of Edition 2 of the SPPS and its relevance to the ongoing LDP process.